FireWire Issue 19 July 2009

FireWire 19: Protecting Australia’s heritage from fire

Wormald is proud to provide critical fire protection services for the famous Edmund Barton Building in Canberra.

Designed by the great Harry Seidler, heritage listed on the National Estate and situated prominently on the edge of the Parliamentary Triangle and Lake Burley Griffin, this is a significant Australian landmark. Currently undergoing a comprehensive refit, it will soon be home to the Australian Federal Police.

In 2008, Baulderstone - the main contractor on the project being developed by Stockland – chose Wormald to complete the base building fire service.

The challenge: Protecting 45,000sqm of net lettable area with an average floor plate of 7,741sqm and multiple interconnecting stairs and lifts between levels is no mean feat! Once completed, the multi-million dollar system will include some 11,000+ sprinklers combined with a fully addressable detection system and an integrated evacuation system with 8,000+ metres of radox cabling.

The solution: The project began with the development of a prototype for the coordination of services within a confined ceiling space. Wormald was also the lead contractor in the programming and installation, enabling follow-on trades to install their services in a progressive rolling schedule with very strict timeframes.

For site safety management, wave rider single man lifts were used throughout the project to insure the minimal use of ladders and scaffolding. The fire protection program is on track for completion in August 2009; effectively an installation period of just 10 months.

Baulderstone were impressed with the teamwork on this complex and challenging solution which used the latest fire protection technology and were also pleased to have the project delivered on time, given the tight time frame and space requirements.

Also in this issue:

  • NEW Wormald Website
  • How effective asset protection cuts insurance premiums
  • Cold comfort for cold storage
  • Tasmanian schools select Wormald
  • Common sprinkler system faults
  • Australia’s first ever Vigilant® MX1 Fire Panel
  • Fire up for the 2011 Rugby World Cup!

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